The Harlem Renaissance

Chronicling the Harlem Renaissance era, this retrospective documentary tracks the origins of the soulful music of the period, along with the challenges many of the genre's artists faced when trying to gain recognition within conventional society. Included are anecdotes from musicians and historians, plus footage of performances and interviews with Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and more.

Documentary Music History

Cab Calloway

(Self (archive footage))

Louis Armstrong

(Self (archive footage))

Louis Jordan

(Self (archive footage))

Duke Ellington

(Self (archive footage))

Bill Robinson

(Self (archive footage))

Nat King Cole

(Self (archive footage))

Lena Horne

(Self (archive footage))

Charlie Parker

(Self (archive footage))

Dizzy Gillespie

(Self (archive footage))

Count Basie

(Self (archive footage))

Fats Waller

(Self (archive footage))

Fletcher Henderson

(Self (archive footage))

The Mills Brothers

(Self (archive footage))

Sidney Bechet

(Self (archive footage))

Dorothy Dandridge

(Self (archive footage))

Billy Eckstine

(Self (archive footage))

Warren Schaefer

(Narrator)